Welcome to the Jefferson County Board of Education meeting for January 11, 2010.

Please join us for our traditional moment of silence.

Please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands: one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Election of Chairperson of the Jefferson County Board of Education for 2010.

The nomination of Debbie Wesslund as Chairperson of the Jefferson County Board of Education

Order #1 - Motion Passed:  The nomination of Mrs. Debbie Wesslund as Chairperson of the Jefferson County Board of Education passed with a motion by Mr. Stephen Imhoff and a second by Mr. Joseph Hardesty.

Election of Vice-Chairperson

The nomination of Mrs. Linda Duncan as Vice-Chairperson of the Jefferson County Board of Education

Order #2 - Motion Passed:  The nomination of Mrs. Linda Duncan as Vice-Chairperson of the Jefferson County Board of Education passed with a motion by Mrs. Carol Ann Haddad and a second by Mr. Joseph Hardesty.

The minutes from the December 14, 2009, and January 4, 2010, Board of Education meetings are submitted for your approval.

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education approve the minutes of the December 14, 2009, and January 4, 2010, Board of Education meetings. This recommendation

Order #3 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education approve the minutes of the December 14, 2009, and January 4, 2010, Board of Education meetings. This recommendation passed with a motion by Mr. Joseph Hardesty and a second by Mrs. Carol Ann Haddad.

The Board of Education recognizes Sonia Linan Ortega and Tahlon Lambdin for winning in the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's 2009 Adopt-a-Highway Poster Contest.

The Board of Education recognizes Geofrey Crow for achieving a perfect score on the SAT test.

The Board of Education recognizes Cathy Gutgsell for receiving the Beacon of Hope Excellence in Education Award.

The Board of Education recognizes Dr. Carol Montgomery for being elected to serve as chairperson of the Kentucky ACT State Organization Council.

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education accept the following resolutions of recognition. This recommendation

Order #4 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education accept the following resolutions of recognition. This recommendation passed with a motion by Mr. Joseph Hardesty and a second by Mr. Stephen Imhoff.

In recognition of Ortega and Lambdin’s outstanding achievement, the students received a $100 and $50 savings bond, respectively, and a framed print of their winning poster. They were formally recognized at a luncheon ceremony, which was held in Frankfort at the Executive Mansion on December 2, 2009.

Lambdin and Ortega were two of approximately 2,000 students from across Kentucky who submitted entries for the contest. Each winner and their school classroom received a calendar featuring the winning posters. The Adopt-a-Highway Poster Contest was created to increase environmental awareness among youth, to educate youth about littering’s devastating effects on the environment, and to change attitudes and behaviors about littering. 

Crow achieved a perfect score on the SAT, a national, standardized college admissions examination. The test is the most widely used and highly accepted test among colleges and universities. The SAT includes tests in writing, math, and critical thinking. Each test is scored on a scale of 200 to 800. A student’s total score is the average of the three test scores.

The SAT assesses the skills and knowledge of students to determine if they are ready for college. Every year, more than two million students take the test, with a low number of students achieving a perfect score.

Gutgsell was presented with the Learning Disabilities Association of Kentucky, Inc. Beacon of Hope Excellence in Education Award, which honors an outstanding educator who has demonstrated creative ways to address unique learning styles of their students and who have enhanced the educational success of all of their students.

Gutgsell was recognized at an awards ceremony, which was held last November at Masterson’s Restaurant in Louisville. The Learning Disabilities Association of Kentucky, Inc., is a nonprofit organization of individuals with learning disabilities, their parents, educators, and service providers. The goal of the association is to provide support services, education, and information to the public and service providers in order to help individuals with learning disabilities excel and become productive, independent members of society.

Montgomery was recently elected to serve as chairperson of the Kentucky ACT State Organization Council, which is led by a cadre of exceptional education and business leaders from across the state. The council’s mission is to provide direct support, information, and feedback to promote informed decision making for the sole purpose of enhancing workforce readiness and educational success.

The state organization has partnered with ACT, Inc. to focus on the academic preparation of Kentucky high school students and to provide information about where our students are excelling and where they are falling behind. The council is also charged with building a communication network among educational institutions, agencies, and ACT; implementing statewide professional-development programs to support ACT’s mission; providing feedback on the effectiveness of ACT programs and services; identifying state service needs; providing input on future programs; and identifying successful programs and services that are currently being implemented.

Persons who have registered to address the Board of Education on agenda items will be called when that agenda item is brought forward.

Speakers who have registered to address the Board on non-agenda items are heard after the Board has conducted regular business, near the end of the meeting.

Each speaker is allowed three minutes to address the Board. At the end of 2-1/2 minutes, a bell will sound once. You will then have 30 seconds to finish your statement.  At the end of three minutes, the bell will sound twice, indicating that your time is up.

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education approve the Consent Calendar and acknowledge the Superintendent's Report. This recommendation

Order #5 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education approve the Consent Calendar and acknowledge the Superintendent's Report. Upon the request of Mrs. Linda Duncan to remove Agenda Item V. P. from the consent calendar for further discussion, the motion to approve Items V. A through V. O. passed with a motion by Mrs. Carol Ann Haddad and a second by Mrs. Ann Elmore.

Pursuant to KRS 160.380, it is my responsiblity to report to the Board of Education personnel actions which have occurred.

These actions have been executed in compliance with all Board of Education policies and state and federal laws. All positions are Board of Education approved positions.

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education receive the attached report of the personnel actions that he has taken per KRS 160.380. The recommendation

Pursuant to Kentucky Revised Statutes, leaves of absence must be recommended by the superintendent and approved by the Board of Education.

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the request for leaves of absence included in the attachment be approved by the Board of Education. The recommendation

Modifications to the minimum and desirable qualifications have been included for the job description Special School Principal.

The Specialist Geographic Information System will be assigned duties to develop a long-term Geographic Information System plan for the district focusing on both student transportation and student assignment.

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education approve the job descriptions for Special School Principal and Specialist Geographic Information System. The recommendation

The Literacy organizational chart is submitted to modify the length of the work year for a Specialist I from 260 to 210 days.

The job description for Specialist Geographic Information System is included with this Board agenda. The organizational chart is submitted to add the position. 

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education adopt the attached organizational charts for Literacy and Transportation Services. The recommendation

Administrative Regulation 702 KAR 5:060 requires that the use of common-carrier field trips be approved and cited in board minutes. Also included are other field trips approved by the superintendent per JCPS Policy IICA. 

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education approve the attached requests for field trips and receive a report of field trips approved by the superintendent. The recommendation

Pursuant to the requirements of KRS 322.010 and 323.010, et al., and the policies and procedures of the Jefferson County Public School District, a certified and licensed architect or engineer is assigned to all projects that modify, renovate, or construct additions to existing buildings.

The architect or engineer is responsible for the proper preparation of all plans, specifications, estimates, and direct supervision during the execution of the construction contract. The architect or engineer will supervise the bid process, required by the district’s Model Procurement Code, and provide an appropriate written recommendation to the district.

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education approve the project, the assignment of John Phelps Engineering as the architect/engineer, and the BG-1 form for Nutrition Services–Phase 28 at Various Schools, for an estimated project cost of $991,950.00. The recommendation

On June 8, 2009, the Board of Education approved the project and the assignment of LSE Engineering, Inc. to prepare plans and specifications for this project.

On July 13, 2009, the board approved awarding a contract to G.B.M.C., Inc. in the amount of $235,761.

The Kentucky Department of Education requires revision of the BG-1 form to match the expended contingencies. 

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education approve the attached revised BG-1 form for Boiler Replacement at Seneca High School. The recommendation

On September 24, 2007, the Board of Education approved assigning LSE Engineering, Inc. to prepare plans and specifications for this project.

On April 14, 2008, the board approved awarding a contract to Walker Mechanical Contractors, Inc. as the low bidder.

LSE Engineering, Inc. has now advised the staff that this contract is complete and final payment is due the contractor subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Education.

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education approve the project completion, BG-4 form, and final payment to Walker Mechanical Contractors, Inc. for Renovation Phase 1 at Luhr Elementary School, for a total cost of $2,110,632.70. The recommendation

On February 9, 2009, the Board of Education approved assigning the Jefferson County Public Schools Facilities Planning Unit to prepare plans and specifications for this project.

On June 29, 2009, the board approved awarding a contract to Louisville Paving Co., Inc. as the low bidder.

The Jefferson County Public Schools Facility Planning Unit staff has made a final inspection and concluded that this contract is complete and final payment is due the contractor subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Education.

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education approve the project completion, BG-4 form, and final payment to Louisville Paving Co., Inc. for 2009 Paving Package 1 at Various Schools for a total cost of $22,988. The recommendation

The Kentucky Department of Education requires that all change orders shall be approved by local board action (702 KAR 4:160). Change order descriptions are included in the attachment. 

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education approve the attached construction change orders. This recommendation

These items represent the lowest and/or best bid for each respective item and/or group of items. (KRS 45A.345 - 45A.460)

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education approve the bid tabulations for Electric Motors; Heating, A/C, Refrigeration Supplies, and Equipment; Paper (Warehouse Delivery); Licensed Auctioneer Service; Health Equipment and Supplies (Percentage); and Amendments on Custodial Supplies and Bus Body Parts and Accessories submitted on January 11, 2010. This recommendation

This report is designed to inform the Board of Education of the purchase orders issued during the indicated period.

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education accept the attached report of purchase orders issued during the period of December 1, 2009, through December 18, 2009. This recommendation

This report is designed to inform the Board of Education of the vouchers paid during the indicated period.

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education accept the attached report of vouchers paid during the period of December 1, 2009, through December 18, 2009. This recommendation

The School Facilities Construction Commission (SFCC) offering provides for an approximate bond value of $12,500,000. The debt service on the bond would be paid with the SFCC offering. The bond can be sold after July 1, 2010. 

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education accept the offer of assistance from the School Facilities Construction Commission (SFCC) in the amount of $1,000,167 of annual debt service on bonds to be sold for proposed construction or major renovation of facilities outlined in the most current approved facility plan. The recommendation

Atherton High School received $2,500. The school received $500 from each of the following: Ford, Klapheke and Meyer; EMBS Medical Billing, LLC; Jeffrey Echelberger Family and Cosmetic Dentistry; D Cubed, LLC; and O’Shea’s Traditional, Inc. The funds will be used for repairs on the baseball field.

Audubon Youth Development Center received $500 from MAC Construction Company to be used for field trips and student incentives.

Barrett Traditional Middle School received $500 from Neil Huffman Nissan to be used for baseball equipment and supplies.

Binet School received $1,000 from Papa John’s to be used to purchase gift cards for families.

Butler Traditional High School received $1,000 from Walmart/Sam’s Club Foundation to be used for equipment for the football team.

Carrithers Middle School Youth Services Center received $1,400 from the City of Jeffersontown to be used for a portion of the YSC clerk’s salary.

Central High School Magnet Career Academy received $4,500 from Fifth Third Bank to be used for student scholarships.

Dunn Elementary School received $10,607.60 from Dunn Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA). The funds will be used to purchase seven SMART Boards.

DuPont Manual High School received $4,814.98 from Ivvy Shurn to be used to purchase a security camera and door buzzer.

Fern Creek Traditional High School received two Apple computers and software valued at $4,029.90 from the University of Louisville College of Education and Human Development. The computers will be used by the students in the Communications Department.

Field Elementary School received $2,000 from Michael Gold to be used to purchase character education materials, rewards, and incentives.

Frost Middle School Youth Services Center received $500 from Louisville Gas and Electric Co. The funds will be used for holiday assistance.

Hite Elementary School received $500 from Mary M. Sutherland. The funds will be used for holiday assistance.

Mill Creek Elementary School received $500 from Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI). The funds will be used to purchase a laptop/e-machine to be used for meeting slideshow presentations.  shows.

Portland Elementary School received ten bourbon barrels valued at $1,000 from Brown–Forman. The barrels will be used for planting theme gardens. 

Stopher Elementary School received $500 from Uzma Uppol to be used to purchase health and fitness technology equipment.

The Phoenix School of Discovery received $5,500 from National Middle School Association (NMSA). The school received $5,000 to be used for material, supplies, teacher incentives, professional development trainings, and refreshments. The school also received $500 to purchase NMSA products and services.

Waller-Williams Environmental School received $1,000 from Walmart to be used for projects for at-risk students.

Watson Lane Elementary received $500 from E.ON U.S. The funds will be used for holiday assistance for families.

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education accept donations totaling $42,852.48. This recommendation

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education accept the following grants as listed in Agenda Items V.P.1. through V.P.8. This recommendation

Order #6 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education accept the following grants as listed in Agenda Items V.P.1. through V.P.8. This recommendation passed with a motion by Mrs. Linda Duncan and a second by Mrs. Carol Ann Haddad.

Breckinridge-Franklin Elementary School, Farnsley Middle School, and Waggener Traditional High School each received $1,000 from Fund for the Arts to fund various art projects.  

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education accept grants totaling $3,000 from the Fund for the Arts. This recommendation

The Kentucky Agency for Substance Abuse Policy (KY ASAP) has awarded a $6,840.20 grant to Liberty High School for an after-school wellness program. The funds will be used to assist in paying teacher stipends, school resource officer staff, healthy snacks, and student physicals.

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education accept a $6,840.20 grant from Region 6 Kentucky Agency for Substance Abuse Policy. This recommendation

The Kentucky Education Reform Act provides for the establishment of Family Resource and Youth Services Centers. These centers are intended to promote and coordinate the flow of community resources and support to families and youths.

The district currently operates 95 centers serving 131 schools. Those centers must submit a continuation grant application to receive funding for FY 2011 and FY 2012. A local public school or a small group of public schools (consortium) in which 20 percent or more of the enrolled students in each school are eligible for free and reduced-priced school meals may apply for funding for a Family Resource and Youth Services Center grant. Funds will be allocated based on the number of students eligible for free meals as of December 1, 2009. The level of funding is contingent upon the budget enacted by the 2010 Kentucky General Assembly.

Attached is an Assurance Certification form and the list of schools that will be submitting a grant application seeking funds to continue a Family Resource/Youth Services Center.

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education approve the submission of 95 grant applications for Family Resource and Youth Services Centers to the Cabinet for Families and Children. This recommendation

The University of Louisville (U of L) College of Education and Human Development partnered with Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) to submit a grant application to the U.S. Department of Education (Award No. U215K050530) to study the impact of new teachers in schools. The study will help U of L improve the effectiveness of preservice training of teachers.

JCPS staff will be responsible for the creation of two databases for research purposes. The first database will contain student demographic and achievement data. The second database will contain teacher characteristics. JCPS will be responsible for linking the databases while preserving the anonymity of both teachers and students.

The project timeline is from January 12, 2010, to June 30, 2010. The work will be housed in the Department of Accountability, Research, and Planning.

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education accept a subgrant of $18,570 from the University of Louisville to partner in a research study designed to understand the impact of new teachers in schools in our district.

The Education Commission of States has awarded two $5,000 service learning grants to the district.

DuPont Manual High School received $5,000 to be used for service learning initiatives programs, and Liberty High School received $5,000 to be used to pay for three administrators, three teachers, and two students to attend the National Youth Leadership Council's 21st Annual Service-Learning Conference in San Jose, California, in March 2010.

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education accept grants totaling $10,000 from The Education Commission of States. The recommendation

The Brightside NatureScape Award Program has awarded a $1,000 grant to Portland Elementary School to be used to assist in the creation of an outdoor schoolyard garden at the school.

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education accept a $1,000 grant from The Brightside NatureScape Award Program. This recommendation

The Bandy Carroll Hellige Making Activities Count (MAC) program has awarded a $500 grant to Carrithers Middle School to be used in collaboration with Exceptional Child Education (ECE) classes and sixth-grade Advance Program classes to create arts and crafts about Native Americans and Russia.

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education accept $500 from the Bandy Carroll Hellige Making Activies Count (MAC) Grant Program. This recommendation

The America’s Promise Alliance has awarded a $105,555 grant to the district. The funds will be used to support a GradNation School-Community coordinator to work with the America’s Promise Alliance in the area of drop-out prevention.

In collaboration with Louisville Metro Government and the community, this position will serve as a link between the district and non-school partners to bridge the in-school and out-of-school efforts to identify struggling students who are at-risk of dropping out of school.

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education accept a one-year grant of $105,555 from America’s Promise Alliance and authorize the superintendent to sign the necessary grant agreement. This recommendation

The Race to the Top Fund is a U.S. Department of Education competitive, $4.35 billion grant program for state education agencies to encourage and reward states for past accomplishments and create incentives for future improvements. The Race to the Top Fund offers Kentucky the potential for $60 to $160 million, 50 percent of which will go to local education agencies, based on their share of Title I funding. Given the formula, this would translate to approximately $6 to $18 million for JCPS along with state support for data systems and professional development.

The grant focuses on four reform areas: 

1. Adopting internationally benchmarked standards and assessments that prepare students for success in college and the workplace;  
2. Building data systems that measure student success and inform teachers and principals about how they can improve their practice;
3. Recruiting, developing, retaining, and rewarding effective teachers and principals; and 
4. Turning around our lowest-performing schools.

As of January 4, 2010, 168 Kentucky school districts have signed the required Memorandum of Understanding.

The Jefferson County Public School District is actively cooperating with the Kentucky Department of Education in the drafting of the application. If Kentucky is successful in this competition, the funds will provide a significant financial boost to implement the intent of Senate Bill 1, as well as to support ongoing efforts to build a local and statewide balanced assessment system to drive student growth, development, and high-level achievement.

Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education approve the attached Memorandum of Understanding with the Kentucky Department of Education that outlines the respective roles and responsibilities of the Jefferson County Public School District and the Kentucky Department of Education in carrying out the program described in Kentucky’s Race to the Top application. Superintendent Berman further recommends that the Board of Education approve the attached Memorandum of Agreement with the Jefferson County Teachers Association to create the district's Final Scope of Work to be submitted to the Kentucky Department of Education as part of the federal Race to the Top grant program. Both recommendations

Order #7 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education approve the attached Memorandum of Understanding with the Kentucky Department of Education that outlines the respective roles and responsibilities of the Jefferson County Public School District and the Kentucky Department of Education in carrying out the program described in Kentucky’s Race to the Top application. This recommendation passed with a motion by Mrs. Ann Elmore and a second by Mrs. Carol Ann Haddad.

Order #8 - Subsidiary Motion Passed:  Superintendent Berman further recommends that the Board of Education approve the attached Memorandum of Agreement with the Jefferson County Teachers Association to create the district's Final Scope of Work to be submitted to the Kentucky Department of Education as part of the federal Race to the Top grant program. This recommendation also passed with a motion by Mrs. Ann Elmore and a second by Mrs. Carol Ann Haddad.

The attached 2010-11 and 2011-12 school calendars were developed by the District Calendar Committee.

The District Calendar Committee is composed of representatives from employee unions, Central Office departments, the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), board districts, and local schools.  

The calendars include 187 scheduled days plus two parent-teacher conference days for teachers and 175 days (1074 instructional hours) for students. Teachers will have one day prior to the start date to set up their classrooms.

Included within the calendar are the following: 1074 Student Instruction Hours, 1 Opening Day, 4 Paid Holidays, 4 Professional Development Days (3 flexible), 2 Nonflexible Professional Development Days, 2 Parent-Teacher Conference Days, and 1 Closing Day. All 260-day employees have nine paid holidays. Any accrued instructional time in district calendars over the Kentucky Department of Education's minimum is to be designated as 'banked' instructional time.

Attached is a list of the calendar committee's recommended paid holidays for the 2010–11 and 2011–12 school years for 260-day employees. 

Also attached is an alternate calendar for 2010-11 requested by Board Member Joseph Hardesty, which proposes a starting date of August 16, 2010.

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Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education consider for discussion the attached 2010-11 and 2011-12 school calendars and list of recommended paid holidays for 260-day employees. This recommendation

Order #9 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education consider for discussion the attached 2010-11 and 2011-12 school calendars and list of recommended paid holidays for 260-day employees. This recommendation passed with a motion by Mr. Joseph Hardesty and a second by Mr. Stephen Imhoff.

Order #10 - Subsidiary Motion Passed:  A recommendation was made by Vice-Chair Linda Duncan to allow the trimester schools the flexibility this year to schedule parent teacher conferences on February 15, 2010, as allowed by the 2009-10 calendar, or to use the alternate days of March 15 and 16, 2010. This recommendation passed with a motion by Mrs. Linda Duncan and a second by Mr. Stephen Imhoff.

A year-long list of selected Board of Education discussion agenda items has been compiled for use by the board and administrative staff. The list includes activities for discussion during this fiscal year. 

It is anticipated that staff will use this list to avoid scheduling conflicts, to improve coordination and support of activities, to enhance planning, and to increase awareness of upcoming board agenda activities. 

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Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education receive for information a planning calendar outlining discussion agenda items to occur during the 2009–10 fiscal year. This recommendation

Order #11 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Sheldon Berman recommends that the Board of Education receive for information a planning calendar outlining discussion agenda items to occur during the 2009–10 fiscal year. This recommendation passed with a motion by Mrs. Linda Duncan and a second by Mrs. Ann Elmore.

Each speaker is allowed three minutes to address the Board. At the end of 2-1/2 minutes, a bell will sound once. You will then have 30 seconds to finish your statement.  At the end of three minutes, the bell will sound twice, indicating that your time is up.

Order #12 - Motion Passed:  As recommended by Superintendent Sheldon Berman, a motion to adjourn the January 11, 2010, meeting of the Jefferson County Board of Education at 8:48 p.m. passed with a motion by Mrs. Carol Ann Haddad and a second by Mr. Joseph Hardesty.